Transformers Masterpiece MPG-09 Super Ginrai
An optional sticker sheet is included if one wishes to customize the unit to further resemble the original G1 toy’s motifs.
Ginrai
An American of Japanese descent, Ginrai is a 20-year-old who works as trucker in the USA before coming into contact with the lost Transtector that would eventually change the course of his life.
The set comes with a smaller figure of Godmaster Ginrai which is better scaled when placed next to the truck.
Truck Cab
The smaller Ginrai figure fits into the cab easily and can be mounted into a slot to showcase him inside the vehicle mode.
The windows are a bit heavily tinted so it can be tough to see him inside.
Of course, same as with the MP-60 Ginrai, the Super Conducting Rifles can be mounted onto the back of the cab unit.
Just like the G1 vintage toy, the Godmaster (Powermaster) can be mounted onto the front grill to unlock the figure’s transformation.
Transform!
A Transtector meant as a back-up body for Optimus Prime finds its way into the hands of human. Originally not wanting to have anything to do with fighting or war, Ginrai eventually rises to the occasion to stop the Decepticons before they destroy all life on Earth.
The figure is a straight up redeco of the MP-60 Ginrai figure, now with Anime-accurate colors.
Butterfly shoulder joints.
Ab crunch joint.
Same as with the MP-60, the “backpack” section on Ginrai is made of diecast parts, to make Super Ginrai mode look and feel more “high quality”.
You can somewhat make out the Matrix of Leadership through his chest panels. I don’t think this was a thing that happened in the old Masterforce Anime though.
I really love how posey this figure is.
Same as with the MP-60 version, Ginrai comes with his iconic Superconducting rifles.
He still looks awkward when holding his guns though. I wish the handles or grips were designed better.
Comparison with MP-60 Ginrai.
With trailer
After Ginrai is mysteriously transported to the base of Mount Yatsugatake, he discovers his trailer underneath the mountain, completing the Transtector’s full form.
The trailer connects to the cab simply by just pegging it into this slot.
When the cab section is disconnected, there are support struts that can be deployed on both sides of the trailer to stabilize it.
Both Superconducting Rifles can be mounted on the trailer at the same time. Simply combine them by sliding in the smaller rifle grips on top of the larger rifles, like so.
The sections of the trailer’s tailgate can be opened up to fit Godmaster Ginrai (and other same-sized figures) inside.
Base mode
Similar to the original toy, the trailer section can transform into a battle station of sorts. This also briefly appeared in the series, functioning as an outpost for our heroes while they strategized. It didn’t have any battle scenes though, from what I can remember.
Lol.. this hole in the dead center of the base is certainly awkward to look at.
Beautiful sculpt and paint work on the base mode. I’m so glad Takara Tomy didn’t cheap out and just go with stickers here.
Super Ginrai’s shoulder Particle Cannons can be positioned here.
Similar to the original G1 toy, Ginrai can straddle the cannons, looking very, very uncomfortabe.
TRANSFORMATION NOTES
Do note that Ginrai needs to be almost perfectly transformed in order to fit into the slot for the Super mode. There is no real margin for error. Be VERY CAREFUL not to snap the pegs on the smokestacks, as this seems to be a very common misstep when trying to get the cab mode into the proper orientation.
Make sure Ginrai’s knees are correctly oriented like so.
These knee tabs need to be unclipped.
Most importantly, make sure these tabs are locked down. These gave me the biggest trouble when I was trying to combine the figure. I spent a half-hour trying to see what was wrong. Unless these are locked down right, the combined mode’s shoulders and head base won’t line up flush. Sheesh.
The head also tends to show some gapping if Ginrai’s legs aren’t lined up right.
Originally, Super Ginrai’s shoulders didn’t have his Particle Cannons attached. To make the figure screen-accurate in this regard, you can opt to plug in these red triangle pieces to properly form up his cannon-less shoulders.
Double On!
Super Ginrai
With the discovery of his trailer, Ginrai is able to combine and form his Super mode! Greatly increasing Ginrai’s battle power and size! He now towers over most Decepticons in this form.
I really wish they designed the forearms to have the hinge pins hidden in the back or something. They tend to stick out like sore thumbs.
The set offers two extra heads for Super Ginrai, a toy-based head and a head that more closely resembles the Anime’s stylized look, featuring a more pronounced brow.
Personally, I prefer the optional head over the default one.
The neck section is on a hinge platform, so you can have Super Ginrai looking up or down. Pretty cool concept.
The combined super mode features an ab crunch joint as well.
Butterfly shoulder joints.
Eventually, Super Ginrai does get his Particle Cannons added to his repertoire. Completing his more recognized design.
For weaponry, Super Ginrai comes with bigger versions of his Superconducting rifles for his super mode.
Dual wield!
Shooting effects parts are included. These are the same as what we got with MP-60 Ginrai.
You can also plug these into Super Ginrai’s rifles.
For even more play value, the set comes with Lighting Attack effects parts, meant to recreate scenes where Super Ginrai channels his Chokon power (Super Soul Power) into his weapons for maximum firepower, as well as increase his own strength and speed. This ability is seemingly exclusive only to Godmasters, lifeforms who are seen as a perfect fusion between Transformers and humans.
The effects parts can be equipped directly into Ginrai and Super Ginrai’s palms.
Alternately, by removing the end tabs of the effects parts, you can plug them directly into the barrels of the Superconducting Rifles.
I love how Super Ginrai’s wrists are articulated so you can have him pose holding his rifle like how he does it in the Anime.
Lastly, for fans of the vintage G1 toy, the set comes an optional toy-accurate head, as well as optional hands. I don’t quite get the reason for the blue hands though, as they should be entirely red, not blue, if the idea was to recreate the vintage toy figure’s look?
Powermaster Optimus Prime!
The weigh in:
-Ginrai stands roughly 7.25 inches tall and weighs 204 Grams.
-Super Ginrai Stands roughly 11.75 inches tall (including Particle Cannons) and weighs 856 Grams.
Personal geek out moment: Powermaster Optimus Prime was easily on my top 10 toy wish list back when I was a kid. Owning him in (diecast) Masterpiece form right now feels like a dream come true!
Overall, a very impressive figure. When Takara Tomy first announced this, I was worried the Super mode would end up looking too fat or wide. Thankfully, the final release is pretty screen accurate.
The combined mode is a lot of fun to pose thanks to all the soft ratchets here and there that help stabilize the figure. Admittedly, I am apprehensive about the final combined God Ginrai mode now, as I wonder if the soft ratchets will be able to hold up when Super Ginrai is kitted out. I guess time will tell.
My biggest complaint would have to be the very slim margin of error when it comes to getting the cab section into the trailer for the Super mode. I wish the designers made it less complicated so that the combination was more streamlined, as is, there’s a lot of unnecessary work that needs to happen for it to be perfectly aligned and make the combination work.
Gold
